Hostage Calm – “Please Remain Calm”

Hostage Calm’s last album was good, not great. It had some jams on it, such my personal favorites “Ballots/Stones” and “Rebel Fatigues”. However, this album is going to be the one that propels the band to new heights. They’ve always been a band about progression, and it seems as though they’ve found their niche on this record.

Please Remain Calm starts with possibly the two catchiest tracks the band has ever written in “On Both Eyes” and “Don’t Die On Me Now”. Seriously, these melodies destroy anything else they’ve ever done… just miles ahead of the stuff off their previous LP. But was surprised me the most was upgraded vocals on this album… the harmonizing and backing vocals are flawless and just make each and every song that much better.

“Woke Up Next To A Body” is destined to be a crowd pleaser at live shows. This song will be the reason you can’t talk, or hear, after the concert. Then we head straight into “Impossible!”, which starts off with some groovy rhythm guitar action and launches into a nice little mid-tempo jam.

The song that has garnered the most intrigue in the short time the album has been out has been “The “M” Word”. It’s the ballad of the record, and really pushes the boundaries of what punk music can be about, especially with lyrics such as:

“Is it true that he’ll never put a ring on you?You’re abused, but is that the worst he’s done to you?Oh no,It’s a sad time to be young,Knowing the worst has just begun.

Meredith, do you really want to marry him?This could end up an embarrassment,And you’ll have to keep his name.”

I don’t know, it just seems like a very daring move for a band that has always had a ‘hardcore’ edge to them. But songs like this is what make them stand out from the pack.

The band channels their inner Beach Boys on “Patriot”. The first half of the track is almost completely lacking in terms of musical instruments… whenever I listen to this song, I just picture the band standing in a circle, perfecting their harmonizing skills.

“Closing Remarks” ultimately has become one of my favorite songs on the album. It’s similar to the bouncy, catchy punk stuff from the first half of the album. It also contains one of my favorite choruses of the album. The album ender, “One Last Salute”, is a five minute jam that is a perfect “summary” type of song to end with.

Overall, this is going to be a must-have album. It’s still indie punk at heart, but brings in influences from all decades spanning back to the 60s. I always talk about the bright futures of up and coming acts that I review. Hostage Calm’s may be the brightest.